One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

This is a moderate movie. Randle McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) was serving time at a prison farm for statutory rape. He is brought into a small mental institution because of his violent outbursts and to evaluate his mental health. He quickly takes a lead role with the other patients, who don’t seem to have as much willpower and motivation as he does. He gains a close attachment to a tall Native American who seems deaf and dumb. Randle also clashes with head nurse Mildred Ratched (Louise Fletcher) who detests his antics.

It was adapted from the 1962 novel by Ken Kesey and was the second film (after It Happened One Night in 1934) to win all five major Academy Awards (Best Picture, Actor in Lead Role, Actress in Lead Role, Director, and Screenplay). The movie was filmed at Oregon State Hospital in Salem, Oregon. There was also a play that premiered in 1963. The film was co-produced by Michael Douglas, who upset his father Kirk by refusing to put him in the lead role. This was the first film that Christopher Lloyd appeared in.